Published:

Fri,Sep 8th 2017 @ 12:29 pm EDT

The House approved several good immigration amendments to the minibus spending bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies for FY 18. The immigration amendments to H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, covered both E-Verify and sanctuary cities.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced several amendments to require each of the federal agencies included in the minibus to use E-Verify for all new hires. The amendments were combined into one and was passed by a voice vote.

The House also passed Rep. Jason Smith’s (R-Mo.) amendment to withhold Transportation and HUD funding from sanctuary jurisdictions. The amendment passed by a 225-to-195 margin. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas was the only Democrat to vote for the amendment. Most Republicans voted in favor of the amendment except:

The House also rejected several amendments that would have cut proposed increases for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rep. Lou Correa’s amendment to reduce ICE funding by $100,000,000 and increase funding to the Coast Guard by the same amount did not pass. The final vote was 182-to-229, with all Republicans voting against it. Five Democrats also voted against the measure, including:

Rep. Joaquin Castro’s amendment to prohibit ICE from using private detention facilities also failed to pass by a 183-to-230 margin. Three Democrats joined the Republicans in voting down the amendment, including:

The House also defeated Rep. Roybal-Allard’s amendment to reduce ICE funding by $849,500,000 and increase funding to the Coast Guard by the same amount. The measure failed by a 170-to-240 vote. Rep. Don Young of Alaska was the only Republican to vote in favor of the amendment, while 15 Democrats voted against it, including:

Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s (D-Wash.) amendment that shifts funding from ICE enforcement to the Office of Inspector General also failed by a 180-to-230 margin. The five Democrats that joined the Republicans in voting against it include: